Travel/Culture List

Daegu Yangnyeongsi Museum of Oriental Medicine
 
Daegu(Jung-gu)
Yangnyeongsi Oriental Medicine Cultural Center was established in 1993. On the first floor is the herbal medicine market, which opens every five days and sells different types of herbal medicine from across the country. The second floor, divided into six zones, houses various experience station, a souvenir shop and an outdoor garden. The third floor, divided into four zones, displays the general and historical facts about Oriental medicine development in the city of Yangnyeong. Through multiple exhibitions and various hands-on experience programs, the Cultural Center continues to provide an opportunity to experience the 350-year-old traditions in the history of Yangnyeong-si and Yakjeon Medicine Alley.

Banpo Seoraeseom Island
 
Seoul(Seocho-gu)
The Banpo Seoraeseom Island is an artificial island built in the mid-1980s. Located in Banpo-jigu District by the Hangang riverside, the island is connected to Hangang Banpo Park by three bridges. The island features weeping willows along the edges, as well as a migratory bird habitat, flower garden, water ski site, and more.

Abai Village Ferry
 
Gangwon-do(Sokcho-si)
Abai Ferry is a special way to get across the Sokcho harbor, separating downtown Sokcho from Abai Village. The distance is quite small, only reaching about 50m across, but riding one of the two ferries across is much quicker than going around by land. The ferry must be pulled across by rope by all passengers, excluding the elderly. This unique experience can only be found in Sokcho.

Yanghwa Hangang Park
 
Seoul(Yeongdeungpo-gu)
Situated on the southern part of Hangang (Han River), Yanghwa Hangang Park stretches along between the mouth of Yeouido Saetgang Tributary and the Gayang Bridge in Gangseo-gu, Seoul. This spacious park is lush with vegetation and offers a spectacular view of the river.The park is located nearby a number of other attraction including Seonyudo Park (an island in the river, which has been transformed into an ecological park), Seonyu Bridge, and the World Cup Fountains (with jets 202m in x_height).There is a wide bike trail that runs through the park that connects this park with the other Hangang River Parks. Every May, the bike trail is flanked by lush green grass and beautiful roses, making it the ideal picture-taking spot for friends, couples, and families. 

Unhyeongung Royal Residence
 
Seoul(Jongno-gu)
One of the amazing things about Seoul is that some of the most interesting historical sites are right in the middle of the business districts. Located near the Jongno Police Station and the Japanese Cultural Center, Unhyeongung Royal Residence is one such site. Unhyeongung Royal Residence was the home of young Gojong, who later became Emperor during the Joseon Dynasty. Under order of Queen Mother Jo, Unhyeongung was renovated into a grand, palace-like house with four gates. Gojong’s father, Yi Haeung, or better known as Heungseon Daewongun, continued to live at Unhyeongung for most of his life. Damaged during the Japanese colonial period and the Korean War, the Unhyeongung Royal Residence seen today is a much smaller version of the majestic structure that it used to be. Entering through the front gate, the first noticeable sight is a small row of rooms to the right. This area, called Sujiksa, housed the servants and guards. To the front, left-hand side of Sujiksa is a structure called Norakdang. Many important events, such as birthday parties and ceremonies, as well as the wedding ceremony for Gojong and Myeongseong, were held here. To this day, traditional wedding ceremonies continue to be held at Norakdang. Norakdang also served as one of the two women’s quarters. The most notable structure inside Norakdang is the kitchen, which was used for food preparation when hosting important events. Right outside Norakdang, there are several rock structures along the path to Irodang. The rock structures are said to resemble various animals. To the left of Norakdang lies Irodang, the main building of Unhyeongung. This was where the wife of Heungseon Daewongun resided. Irodang's most prominent feature is its tall steps and square shape. It was built this way in order to help protect the women inside from intruders. Outside Irodang lays an old well on one side of the wide, open yard. To the right of Norakdang lies Noandang. Noandang served as the men’s quarters and was where Heungseon Daewongun received his guests. The word noan means "old man" and carries with it the connotation of comfort and ease. Thus, it served as the leisure quarters for the men. However, Noandang was not just a place of rest and entertainment. As the father of a young Emperor, Heungseon Daewongun carried out all his business from Noandang. Upon exiting Noandang, there lies an Exhibition Hall to the far right. The Exhibition Hall houses a small collection of interesting artifacts and information. Items such as a scale model of Unhyeongung, writing tools, traditional wedding garments, and more, can be seen here. Next to the Exhibition Hall, there is also a small coffee shop and tea room where visitors can enjoy a nice beverage while taking in the sights of Unhyeongung. 

King Sejong The Great Memorial Hall
 
Seoul(Dongdaemun-gu)
King Sejong The Great Memorial Hall was established in Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, on November 1970 in memory of King Sejong and his saintly virtues and great achievements. Officially opened to the public in October 1973, the memorial hall is a modern structure housing an exhibition area, auditorium, laboratory, and a reference room. The exhibition area is further divided into the Hangeul Room, Science Room, Traditional Music Room, King Sejong Art Room, and an outdoor exhibition space.

Yongyudo Island
 
Incheon(Yeongjong-gu)
With 48.2-㎞ long coastline and a total area of 13.603㎢, Yongyudo Island is located near other islands such as Sinbuldo Island, Sammokdo Island, Yeongjongdo Island, Daemuuido Island, Jangbongdo Island, Modo Island, Sido Island, and Sindo Island. Yongyudo Island and Yeongjongdo Island were once connected by a bridge. The two islands were joined as one when Incheon International Airport was constructed on a reclaimed land between these two. Attractions on Yongyudo Island include Eulwangni Beach, Wangsan Beach, Seonnyeobawi Beach, Geojampo (a peaceful fishing port offering great views of the the sunrise and sunset), and Masian Beach (famous for its red, glowing evening sky). In early August, the island holds a variety of events such as a sea festival, fishing contests and shellfish harvesting, making it an ideal place for nature exploration. Because of its proximity to the airport, the area resembles a resort complex due to the availability of various accommodation facilities such as a floating hotel, casino, and a golf course. The nearby Muuido Island has a couple of beaches, hiking trails and fishing spots. Hanagae Beach is famous for its white sand and row of bungalows painted in strong primary colors. The beach is just a 10-minute car ride from Saemkkumi Ferry Dock. Another beach on Muuido is Keunmuri Beach. This clean, sandy beach stretches out beautifully against the backdrop of a dense pine trees forest.

Okpo Shipyard of Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering
 
Gyeongsangnam-do(Geoje-si)
The Okpo shipyard of Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) is the world’s leading shipbuilding plant: building various vessels, offshore plants, drill ships, FPSO/FPUs, submarines and destroyers all year round. Construction began in October 1973 and was completed in 1981 and the resulting shipyard currently spans an area of 4.3million meters squared. It encompasses several docks, one of which boasts an astounding million-ton capacity. The plant is optimized for building high-tech motor vessels using cutting-edge equipment, including a 900-ton goliath crane. DSME manufactures high-quality products based on vast IT expertise, well-managed shipbuilding technologies, superb fixed-platform construction capacities, large-scale project management know-how, and submarine/destroyer construction technologies.

Cheongnyangni Station
 
Seoul(Dongdaemun-gu)
Located in Jeongnong-dong, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, Cheongnyangni Station runs on the Gyeongwon Line and between Wangsimni Station and Hoegi Station. It is the first and last station of on the Jungang Line.It began operating as a regular station on October 15, 1911 and changed its name to Donggyeongseong Station in 1938. The name was later changed to Cheongnyangni Station in 1942. The station belongs to the Metropolitan Dongbu branch of Korail and it operates the Mugunghwa Line and the Seoul Metropolitan Subway, and also handles ticket sales.

Korea Manhwa Museum
 
Gyeonggi-do(Bucheon-si)
The Korean Manhwa Museum is the first cartoon museum that preserves and exhibits various rare cartoon materials and historically valuable materials, including the original copy of cartoons drawn by well-known cartoonists, which Bucheon Manhwa Information Center (currently Korea Manhwa Contents Agency) has collected and preserved. Located in the Bucheon Visual Culture Complex, the museum exhibits a wide range of cartoons from those of the 1990s to the latest works of cartoonists who are popular among kids.